Vandals Destroy Gravestones That Date Back To Revolutionary War At Historical New Jersey Cemetery

METUCHEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in New Jersey are looking for vandals who destroyed pieces of American history that date back beyond the Revolutionary War.

CBS2's Meg Baker reported gravestones were knocked to the ground at the Old Colonial Cemetery in Metuchen. Evelyn Grant, the president of the Metuchen-Edison Historical Society, first noticed it late Friday, as some of the gravestones were recently restored.

One tombstone from 1806 was literally ripped out of the ground, as others that were vandalized date back even further.

"I can't wrap my head around the fact that somebody would destroy something that's been here 200-plus years," said Metuchen resident Karen Halo.

More than 60 Revolutionary War veterans are buried at the cemetery.

"It takes a lot to shock me, but when I saw this, to desecrate freedom, what's that? It's wrong," said resident Gerry Rice.

Martin Jessen, 90, questioned the lack of respect to vandalize a cemetery.

"People don't seem to be interested in old things as much as they used to," said Jessen.

Walter Zjawin put up a fake camera when someone kept stealing the American flag from the cemetery. He now wishes it was a real one to scare away intruders.

"You need to understand what freedom costs and that these people are long gone, but there's people now that defend your freedom and give you the right to do things and by destroying this you're destroying your own freedom," Zjawin said.

Police are asking for the public's help to capture the perpetrators.

"We don't have any suspects, yet," Metuchen Police Sgt. Arthur Flaherty said. "Typically it's juveniles."

Police have also asked for the assistance of NJ TRANSIT because there may be camera angles at the cemetery from the local train station.

The historical society has yet to estimate how much effort and money it will take to restore the memorials.